The Boyshas been nothing short of a worldwide phenomenon ever since its release, with each and every season delivering on the promise of an uncensored and brutal spectacle of what a world would be like with superheroes who don’t live up to their names and end up engaging in some truly heinous actions. The fact that the comics are somehow even more brutal and gratuitous shows just how messed up the world ofThe Boysreally is.
RELATED:The Boys: Differences Between Herogasm In The Show And Comics
The fact that certain characters serve as more reigned-in versions of their comic book counterparts is really hard to believe. In fact, some of the characters in the show are a complete departure from what they’re like in the comics! Viewers who want to knowwhich characters are pretty similar to their comic versionsshould keep on reading.
7Billy Butcher
The leader of The Boys is a foul-mouthed Englishman who hates all superheroes with a vengeance, especially Homelander because of his heinous actions. He uses Hughie to break into Vought Tower, but this plan goes awry after Translucent figures out this plan. Throughout the show,Butcher doesn’t shy away from declaring his hate for all Supesand even uses their powers against them in Season 3.
In the comics, Butcher is pretty much the same character with his hate for Supes cranked up to 11. He also has permanent powers that he uses to try and wipe each and every superhero from the face of the earth. His brutality, demeanor, and motivations are all pretty similar to his TV show counterpart.
6Homelander
Both iterations of Homelander from both the show and the comics are pretty similar in many ways. However, there are some minor differences, mainly stemming from the personalities of both superheroes.Both versions of Homelanderare vain, arrogant, and a step away from going berserk and destroying the entire world as well.
RELATED:The Boys: Things Only Comic Readers Know About The Deep
However, in the comics, it turns out that Homelander really is a stupid hero, and the bulk of his heinous actions was actually done by Black Noir, who himself is a clone of Homelander. Meanwhile, the version of Homelander in the show is more manipulative and evil, which makes for a first where a Supe in the show turns out to be worse than their comic counterpart.
5Queen Maeve
At a glance,Maeve from both the comics and the show seem worlds apart. The comic book version of Maeve is jilted and disillusioned from life, diving into alcoholism in order to forget her past trauma and just weather the storm as a helpless member of The Seven.
In the show, Maeve still has a bit of life in her that is beaten out after she abandons a flight and its passengers to its doom. This causes her to start drinking and engage in many spicy romances that harken back to her character in the comics. It’s a clever nod to her counterpart, but the show’s version of Maeve gets her act together pretty quick and helps everyone out time and time again…that is, after a fair bit of coercion.
4Annie January/Starlight
Starlight is a superheroine whogenuinely believes in the idea of a hero standing up for what’s right. All of her naive ideals are dashed from the very moment she’s inducted into The Seven and forced to go through a severe and debilitating ordeal that shatters her ideals for good.
While Starlight in the show wisens up after her assault and becomes one of the most mature and wise characters in the show, her counterpart in the comics remains pretty naive even after this incident. That being said, their characters are still similar in many ways aside from this enhanced naivety.
3The Legend
Season 3 finally gave The Legend his much-awaited live-action debut.The Stan Lee figure of this universewastes no time in establishing himself as one of the most important characters in the show, with his personality being pretty similar to his comic book counterpart.
RELATED:The Boys: The Most Powerful Superheroes That Aren’t Part of the Seven
Of course, The Legend’s look in the comics varies greatly from his live-action counterpart, but that’s a minor change in an otherwise faithful character. Of course, The Legend plays a more important role in the story and is majorly responsible for opening Hughie’s eyes to the heinous acts that Supes have committed over the years.
2Mother’s Milk
M.M. is one of the most level-headed and calm characters on the show. He looks out for his teammates and ensures that no harm befalls anyone, especially when it comes to Hughie.
Aside from his superpowers, the comic book version of M.M. is pretty similar to his live-action counterpart. Even their backstories are pretty similar, although the solitary focus on Soldier Boy as the aggressor makes for a pretty major change. Another major change stems from the fact that M.M. from the show doesn’t actually crave his mother’s milk…and the less said about the comics in this regard, the better.
1Frenchie
A common change seen across all the main ‘good’ characters inThe Boysis that their negative qualities are downplayed significantly to make them more appealing to audiences. As a result, evena gun-toting wackjob like Frenchiebecomes oddly lovable in the show.
His affinity to engage in drug abuse at the most inappropriate times is shown at brief instances in the show, while the comics make a pretty big deal out of the Frenchman being a drug-fueled psychopath who won’t stop at anything to kill his enemies. However, in the grand scheme of things, Frenchie is pretty faithful to his comic book counterpart where it counts.
MORE:The Boys: Every Member Of The Seven, Ranked By Their Power
